I've noticed something with the Nintendo Switch 2: if you update a physical game that's typically playable without an update, you can never play it again without the update. This means that even if you delete your savegame, all update data, and backups, the game will no longer be playable offline. I think this is outrageous, and Nintendo absolutely must fix this with an update. Apparently, there's still a record in the system indicating a newer version.
So, the only option left is a factory reset (hopefully?). This is unacceptable.
Please try it out for yourself. In my opinion, this should be brought to the public's attention much more, since it affects all physical games.
Edit: I tested it on the PS5 with Granblue Fantasy, and it still works perfectly after deleting the update and savegame! This is an unacceptable practice by Nintendo that makes no sense whatsoever, except that it is anti-consumer.
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There is also another issue with that (some games will have a newer version on cartridge; for example Persona 3 Portable and 4 Golden LTR). Or just different versions. If you want to play the digital version after selling the physical, you can not do that (because of the hidden data on the system that forces you to go to the newest version). Or you can´t play a different physical version anymore. So you are forced to reset your whole system:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2h6hzRN02o
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/189706-nintendo-switch/80842024
by ZockBobOmb
13 Comments
Yes, it’s been this way ever since original Switch game cartridges in 2017.
Correct me if I’m wrong, was this not a similar case with the Switch 1 too?
Take for example, if you updated TOTK once, deleted and uninstalled all game data, record of the game’s most recent version stays on the system until it’s factory reset, and the game simply won’t boot in an earlier version without promoting a software update.
I could be misremembering but I think it’s always been a similar case to this. Either way, it sucks that’s how it works.
[deleted]
Why is this unacceptable? None of these things are issues to begin with.
If you keep the update you’ll be able no problem to play offline….
Nintendo will absolutely not be “fixing” this, as it is 100% intentional. It was a “security flaw” of the 3DS (and probably Wii U idk). For example, if you uninstalled updates from Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, you could still open the game even after it had updated once before, and run an exploit that let you execute homebrew, and they want to avoid that; this is the approach they took.
Updates are saved on the console itself, and it checks for those even if they are not installed. If you are hoping to play an old version of a game, you have to remain offline the entire time.
Why do you even care about this?
Please do complain more about a nonissue.
You can play it after a factory reset or you can keep the update installed. What exactly is unacceptable? You have two options to keep playing offline.
I have a PS Vita that I still play every once in awhile and it did the exact same thing and I’ve never had an issue. In fact, I had to factory reset the system recently and restore all my games and all updates for all those games.
This is more a convenience issue than anything. But its not specific to Nintendo and its really not a big deal.
This would break game save comparability and make big fixings a nightmare
I believe that Nintendo is trying to create a blanket of baseline compatibility for Switch 1 games specifically. Once the compatibility update is applied, it is hardlocked against the Switch 2 OS. I understand the compatibility threshold must be set with my old games requiring a patch for initialization. After that, there’s nothing I can’t play offline in perpetuity. Personally I’ve never ever had issues with playing anything offline on the Switch since 2017.